NBA Players Association donates $50K to Hopi Foundation

Award presented during All Star Gala

KYKOTSMOVI, Ariz. - During the recent National Basketball Association All Star weekend in Phoenix, The Hopi Foundation was presented with a donation of $50,000 by the NBA Players Association. The Hopi Foundation is a private non-profit organization that serves the Hopi people.

William Hunter, executive director of the NBPA, said being in the southwest, they wanted to honor a tribal group. Hunter added they wanted to locate a group that is not affiliated with Indian gaming nor is an entity of a tribe. Of the 22 Indian tribes in Arizona, the Hopi tribe was the only one that does not have a gaming compact.

Barbara Poley, executive director of The Hopi Foundation, was elated with the generous donation and said, "We are honored that the NBPA chose our organization to receive this generous gift. These funds will make a difference in helping to support educational initiatives in our local communities."

Every year the NBPA selects one local charitable group from the host city or state and presents them with a donation. Poley says she is pleased the NBPA learned about the work of The Hopi Foundation and chose to honor them.

"The Hopi Foundation has worked in the Hopi communities for 21 years providing training and education opportunities through our various initiatives. On behalf of our board, staff and our projects, I appreciate the NBPA's confidence in our work," she said.

Representatives of The Hopi Foundation shared the stage Saturday night at the NBPA All Star Gala with Steve Nash, Dwayne Wade and Adonal Foyle, who were also honored for their off-court achievements. Each NBA player received the Community Contribution All-Star Award. In addition to the donation members of The Hopi Foundation and special guests from the Hopi community attended the 2009 All Star game and the NBA Jam Session at the US Airways Center.

On Feb. 20 The Hopi Foundation hosted Theresa Clark Messer, director of finance, her husband Paul and two sons on the Hopi Reservation to learn more about its communities and the various projects of the Foundation. A tour of the various villages concluded with a visit to the KUYI Hopi Radio Station in Polacca.